140 Chapter 140

Seraphina’s POV 1

The Morrison house looked exactly the same as I remembered from before visits–white clapboard siding with forest green shutters, a wraparound porch lined with hanging flower baskets, and that old wooden swing.

“They’re gonna lose their minds,” Caleb said again as we pulled into the gravel driveway. “Mom’s been cooking since I called. Pretty sure

she made enough food to feed the entire pack.”

I managed a weak smile.

He turned off the engine and looked at me with those kind blue eyes. “You ready for this?”

*No.* I wasn’t ready for anything.

But I nodded anyway.

The front door burst open before we even made it up the porch steps.

“Seraphina!”

Margaret appeared in the doorway like a force of nature–gray hair in a messy bun, flour–dusted apron, arms already outstretched for a

hug. Behind her, Robert emerged with that gentle smile I remembered so well.

“Oh my goodness, look at you!” Margaret pulled me into one of those bone–crushing hugs that only mothers could give. “You’re skin and

bones! Haven’t they been feeding you in that fancy city?”

“Mom,” Caleb warned gently. “Let her breathe.”

“Don’t you ‘Mom‘ me, Caleb Morrison.” But she released me, her weathered hands moving to cup my face. “Let me look at you properly.”

I tried to smile, tried to pretend her maternal concern wasn’t making my chest ache with longing for something I’d never really had. “Hi,

Mrs. Morrison. It’s good to see you.”

“None of this Mrs. Morrison nonsense. You’re family, sweetheart. Always have been.” Her eyes–so much like Caleb’s–searched my face

with motherly worry. “You look tired, honey. When’s the last time you had a decent meal?”

“I ate on the bus-”

“Bus food doesn’t count.” She was already herding me toward the front door. “Robert, get her bags. Caleb, wash up. I’ve got pot roast in

the oven and fresh biscuits cooling on the counter”

I remembered. Worn hardwood floors covered with colorful braided rugs. Family

smell of home

couch,” Margaret fussed, leading me toward the living room. “We turned Caleb’s old room into Robert’s workshop, and the guest room is

perfect,”

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140 Chapter 140

her garden, chattering about local gossip and asking gentle questions about my life

those babies of yours?” she asked, passing me the butter for my third biscuit. “Caleb mentioned you have a

halfway to my mouth. “They’re… they’re

how wonderful!” Margaret’s face lit up. “I bet they’re beautiful. Do they have your

mine

“They’re perfect,” I whispered.

heard something in my voice because she reached over to pat my hand. “Of

are.”

after that–the weather, local news, Caleb’s auto shop. I contributed

mind

Adrian and Lily eating dinner right now? Was Damien home, or was he still at the office,

thinking about me?

asked

me back

tired,” I lied. “It’s

clearing

while us old

“I can help-”

me toward the living room. “You’re a guest in

“sleep well, honey” and promises of

and me alone

found an old stuffed animal from somewhere and placed it carefully by

“For all of this. I know it’s unexpected, me showing up

into his father’s old recliner, studying my face

told you, I ran into some

gentle but firm. “I’ve known you since we were kids. You don’t run to other people when handle

you

have trouble. You

at my hands, folded in my lap like a prayer. “I don’t even know where to

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140 Chapter 140

“Start wherever feels right.”

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